New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to the late General Bipin Rawat and others who lost their lives in the chopper crash on December 8, and hoped for recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the crash.
Speaking after the inauguration of Saryu Nahar National Project in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said that the nation is sad due to the event, but will not stop.
“I pay my tribute to all brave soldiers who died in the chopper crash on Dec 8. India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat’s death is a big loss for every Indian,” PM Modi said. “Wherever General Bipin Rawat is, he will see India marching ahead. The work for enhancing border security, strengthening infrastructure, making the forces self dependent, and integration of the three forces will keep moving ahead,” he said.
“India is in pain, but we will not slow down. We will not stop. Together we will work harder, face every internal and external challenge, and make the country stronger,” he said.
He also hoped for speedy recovery of Group Captain Varun Singh, the lone survivor of the crash who continues to be critical and is under treatment at Command Hospital, Bengaluru. “Doctors are trying to save the life of UP’s son from Deoria, Group Captain Varun Singh. I pray to Maa Pateshwari for his speedy recovery… The country is standing with the family of Varun Singh, and the families of soldiers we have lost,” he said.
The highly-decorated India’s first Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other military personnel were on Wednesday killed in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu, sending a wave of sorrow across the country.